China's first aircraft carrier today began its maiden deployment in the South China Sea barely three days after the country declared an air defence zone over islands claimed by Japan, drawing sharp reactions from the US and other nations.
The Liaoning embarked on a cross-sea training voyage to test its equipment in disputed waters, where it is expected to play a key role in maintaining China's dominant presence.
The Chinese Navy is conducting several experiments on the 57,000-tonne carrier, including testing the new J-15 fighter jet's operations from its deck.
This is the first time the carrier has embarked on a training voyage since it was commissioned into the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy last year, Liaoning's Captain Zhang Zheng said.
China's claim of sovereignty over almost all of South China Sea is contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei.
The Liaoning's deployment followed the declaration on November 23 of the East China Sea Air Defence Identification Zone, which covers disputed islands called Diaoyus by China and Senkakus by Japan.
Besides Japan, the US, South Korea and Australia protested to China over the move, warning that it could create serious incidents of conflict.
Under the new zone, all aircraft including civilian flights have to inform the China's Foreign Ministry of their flight path.
